title: Thoracic packing for postoperative hemorrhage.
abstract: Major hemorrhage after pulmonary resection is infrequent. It is usually due to an unsecured vessel, and immediate reoperation to control hemorrhage is indicated. Diffuse bleeding from raw chest wall surfaces can complicate pleurectomy. Control of bleeding from this cause is difficult, and standard techniques may fail. Thoracic packing is occasionally needed. The authors describe a technique for thoracic packing. This technique permits removal of thoracic packing at the bedside, and simplifies subsequent management of an empyema, should one develop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263-0001, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Urschel
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bertsch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takita
mesh_terms: D006489:Hemostatic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures